Chapter 2 1

Lia had just entered the mall with her two best friends Serena and Sofia. They were sure having a good time as they always did together. They lacked nothing especially when it came to finances. They were all from wealthy families and had finished from the best schools.

They held each other's hands while going round the mall smiling and laughing. The fact that each had a bodyguard was not easily noticeable as they had instructed each of their security personnel to stay far off.

"I hate the fact that I have to go everywhere with someone watching my every move. It's embarrassing. I'm no longer a baby" Sofia had said curling her lips to show how much she detested it.

She had short black hair and a slender figure that could pass her for a model. Her grey eyes were always lively and looking for fun wherever she could get it.

"It seems to be chasing the guys away. That's what infuriates me the most." Serena chipped in looking through the windows in the shopping mall.

She was the shortest amongst them and the curviest. Her blonde long curly hair ran down her back to her waist. Her sea blue eyes, pointed nose and small lips which were never devoid of lipstick gave her that celebrity look. Indeed, Serena was beautiful.

Lia and Sofia busted out in laughter. Her statement did not come as a surprise to the two ladies. Serena was the most exciting and adventurous one amongst them and always made it clear that she loved two things the most in life. Men and shopping.

She had once confided in them that she was no longer a virgin and that she was gradually leaving them behind.

Till date Lia had wondered how she was able to do that since she went nowhere without one of her family's bodyguards.

The three of them were not allowed to step out of their family houses without an escort. Even the men in the families dared not go out without them.

They all understood why. They were all born into mafia families. The business dealings of the mafians always brought about either close ties with their business partners or enemies. Great enemies.

"Are you still searching?" Lia had finally spoken asking Serena. "I thought you said Antonio was sent to you from heaven. Antonio was the guy Serena had informed them she lost her virginity to. She had also informed them that she was madly in love with him.

Serena understood the question and had responded immediately. "I'm too young to be with only one man. You know? Raising her left hand to show her bare fingers Serena continued. "I'm willing to keep testing the waters until Antonio puts a ring on this finger.

This time only Sofia busted out in laughter.

"Lia did not find Serena's statement funny. She believed a lady should keep herself for the man she loved and since Serena had claimed she loved Antonio she could not understand why she would not stop at him.

Serena saw the expression on Lia's face and joined Sofia in the laughter. Seeing that Lia was not getting amused she stopped.

Taking the hands of her friends she led them into a shop where she had seen a bag she loved but that was not only what had caught her attention.

There was a very tall handsome young man in the shop also. He was well over six feet and Serena had winked at her friends to direct their attention to the very attractive young man standing in the shop with what looked like two bodyguards.

He was holding a beautiful green gown and two ladies were at the same time attending to him. He had not seen the three ladies walk in.

Lia noticed that the two ladies were not only trying to sell the gown to him but were also flirting with him. It was not surprising as asides his good looks everything about him spelt wealth.

Sofia and Serena both drifted away from her at the shoe section. They went off to go look for the latest bags. They both adored designers bags.

Just as Lia picked up a shoe that got her attention, she felt someone touch her shoulder.

"Hello. Please I need help choosing a gift for my mum." He said.

Lia had turned and looked into the eyes of the person that had touched her and had been blown away by his charm and good looks.

For a second she could not find the words to respond.

"By the way my name is Franco. Franco Bellagio." Franco said holding out his hand.

I... I... I'm Lia. Lia Fellano. Lia said reaching out for his outstretched hand.

Lia and Franco spent like twenty minutes going through some items. There were shoes, bags, gowns, jewelries but the green gown was what they both settled for.

Just as Franco was thanking and waving good bye to Lia, Sofia and Serena came around. They had been engrossed in their shopping that they had not realized that Lia had not caught up with them.

"Please meet my friends Sofia and Serena." Lia said when she saw her friends signaling her to introduce them to Franco. Serena had already started flirting with him with her eyes.

"Nice to meet you both. I am Franco." Franco had said without offering them his hands as he had done when introducing himself to Lia. He started to look uncomfortable. It was obvious that Serena's flirting eyes were doing this to him.

"Thanks once again for your help. I hope my mother likes what you chose for her." Franco had said and walked off briskly. His bodyguards had followed in his heels.

The three ladies watched as he walked off. He was so charismatic Lia thought to herself. So good looking too.

"Wow Lia. That guy actually spoke to you?" Sofia asked

"He's so handsome!" Serena said. Did you see how those two ladies attending to him were practically flirting with him?"

"Yes just like you were flirting with him just now." Lia said amused by Serena.

Serena looked Lia all over. "Surely you can't blame me for that. You left us to be with him yourself."

"No I didn't. He's the one who walked up to me asking for my assistance in choosing a gift for his mother." Lia shot back at Serena.

"Okay, Okay Let's not fight over him. By the way, it's high time you found yourself a boyfriend. You don't want to die a virgin or do you?" Serena asked trying to lighten the mood.

"That's true." Sofia had chipped in.

"What's stopping you from getting a boyfriend yourself?" Lia asked Sofia.

"I would have had a boyfriend if I hadn't caught that clown cheating, just a day after he came to me, asking me out."

"What was his name again?" Serena asked.

"Aldriano!" Sofia and Lia both screamed. They all busted into laughter and started off to the counter to pay for the items they all took.

As they walked out of the mall, Lia's mind went to Franco. Would she ever see his charming face again? And if she did how soon would that be? They both knew nothing about each other asides their names.